Low-speed governor for spring motors and the like



June 7 1927.

F. N. MIZEB LOW SPEED GOVERNOR FOR SPRING MOTORS. MW THE LIKE Filed Oct. 31. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,2 T r rLiJ 1631324 June 7, 1927. F. N. MIZER o, 2

LOW SPEED GOVERNOR FOR SPRING MOTORS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 31 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tia-.5-

Patented June 7, 1927-.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED N. MI

IO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL PHONOGRAPH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

driven display ticularly to a cent such devices.

a centrifugal governor display device wherein of the display table may substa LOW-SPEED GOVERNOR FOB srnme Application filed October 31, 1925.

invention relates generally to motor devices but relates more parrifugal speed governor for object of my invention is to construct for ntially low rate.

Another object of my inve a centrifugal governor of the class struct named which is extreme tion whereby the rate 0 table revolves may be ma predetermined value.

Another objectof vide means for regu ly sensitive in f speed at which the intained at a low a motor driven the speed of rotation be confined to a ntion is to conoperamy invention is to pro lating the rate of rotation of a shaft including a centrifugal govdevice which is extremely simple of ernor constr ture.

A further object of my struct which uction and inex a device of the may be adjusted to difierent vertical positions w of speed control of said d as desired.

A still further object o to pro character which may vide from the shaft on which it is struct a centrifugal governor pensive to manufacinvention is to conabove named character a plurality of hereby the rate evice may be varied f my invention is such a device of the above named be readily removed supported.

A further object of my invention is to condevice for conrotation of shafts g arms thereof are freely'pivotally suspended from a point relatively Oth more apparent high with respect to er objects a tion of an embodiment of referencebeing ma drawings forming tion and in'which ployed to designate lik the same.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of and gearing associated ther shows Fig and Fig Fig .2 is a'si llis a pla 5 is a section on 11118 the arms nd advantages will become from the following descripmy invention,

dc to the accompanying a part of this specificalike characters are eme parts throughout a spring motor ewith and also device in position. de elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the governor,

11 view of the same, and

of F g. 2.

MOTORS AND THE LIKE.

Serial No. 66,044.

forming a part of the motor and governor mechanism. I have shown a motor of the coiled spring type but it is to be understood that other types of motors such as those having an ex.- tcrnal source of power, electric motors, etc, may be used to drive the table spindle and governor mechanism. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 3 represents a motor spring retaining drum of the usual type having teeth a formed about its lower periphery. The drum 3 is rotatably supported within the frame in suitable bearings 5, into which an end of the spindle 6 seats, and is provided with the usual pawl and ratchet device (not shown). A; bevel gear 7 rotatable with the spindle 6 and of a diameter substantially that of the drum meshes with a smaller bevelgear 8 carried on an end of a crank shaft 9. The crank shaft 9 is rotatably mounted in the frame 1 and is supported in suitable bearings. The other endof the crank shaft is provided for receiving a crank c}? the like (not shown). Rotary motion imparted to shaft 9 will'be transmitted to the spindle 6 through the gears 7 and 8 to wind the usual coil spring carried within the drum 3.

The teeth l formed on the lower periphery of the drum, mesh with teeth 10 formed on one end of a spindle 11 which is rotatably carried within the frame. A gear 12 of larger diameter is also rotatable With the spindle 11 and meshes with teeth 13 formed on a spindle let. The spindle 14 is rotatable in suitable bearings and carries aworm gear 15 intermediate its ends. Its upper end extends through the frame to form a table support at 14 V i Supported by a suitable bracket 16 is an adjustable bearing member 17 preferably screw threaded intothe bracket and having a seat formed in one end to receive and sup-' port the end of worm shaft 18. The other end of the shaft-is supported in a similar adjustable member 19 carried by the vframe power is taken from the shaft 14 to drive the governor mechanism which will presently be described and which is-my invention.

The above description is that of the usual spring motor and a gear train operable thereby to impart rotary movement to a tablet supported on the upper end of the shaft at 1 1.

My invention resides principally in a governing meclninism useo. preferably in connection with a spring motor and gearing as above described, and consists more particularly of a governor and means whereby said governor is operated from the turntable spindle. v

The shaft 20 is rotatably supported within the bearings 16 and 19 as shown and is provided with a gear 21 near one end and rotatable therewith. The gear 21 meshes with a worm 22 formed on the governorspindle 23. The governor spindle is rotatably mounted within bearings 23 and 2-1. As I have shown the bearing 23 may consist of a member threaded into the frame 1 and having a cupped bearing surface formed in its lower end to seat the upper tapered end of the spindle Suspended from the frame 1 in the area surrounding the a shaft 23 is a member 24: having governor brush engaging surface 25 of suiiicient diameter and area to permit the governor brushes to contact therewith.

The governor device consists essentially of a collar or central body member 26 apertured centrally to permit its assemblage upon the shaft 23. This device is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and at. The collar is provided with a set screw 2? extending radially therethrough and in communication with the central opening so that the device may be adjusted and secured to the shaft by tightening the set screw thereagainst. The collar 26 is slotted radially from its outer circum ference toward its center as shown at 28 but the slots extend only to within a short distance from the central opening. Pivotally secured and freely movable within the slots 28 by pins 29 are governor arms 30 each being pivotally suspended at a point neartheir extreme inner and upper edges as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. Each of the arms 30 is formed preferably of a single piece of metal to provide a depending arm portion 31 and a brush carrying portion 32. The brush carrying portion consists of a strip of metal extending substantially at right angles from the arm portion 31 and is bent backwardly upon itself to securely clamp the brush 33 and is shown more clearly in Fig. 1-. The brushes consist of suitable lengths of felt or other suitable material which extend upwardly of the portions 32 a sufficient distance to prevent contact of the top edge of the metal arm with the surface 25 when the governor is revolving. The depending arm portions are each bent'or twisted as shown, so that their lower ends normally abut against the spindle 23 vhen the governor is idle. The arms are twisted in a manner whereby the lower arm areas will tend to ride upon the air as the governor revolves thus furnishing an added .lift'for the arms.

In operation, when the motor is running and the tablet and spindle 1 1 are revolving,

-motion is transmitted through gears 15, 20,

21, and 22 to revolve spindle 23 upon which the governor is secured in the desired. position by the set screw 27. Upon rotation of the spindle and governor the arms 30 will swing outwardly from the spindle, due to centrifugal force, thus .bringingthe brush carrying portions and the brushes toward and into contactwith the under surface 25 of the member 24:. The brushes will eontlnue to revolve in contact with the surface 25 thereby limiting the speed of the spindle and consequently spindle 14 through which it is geared. By positioning the collar at a point on the spindle sufliciently close to the member 2 1 the speed of the tablet may be controlled to a very slow ate per given unit of time. As stated hereinbefore the collar is adjustable along the spindle 23 and if a greater rate of speed of tablet travel is desired the collar is adjusted to a lower position on the spindle relative to the surface 25 of the member 21', since the lower the collar is adjusted, the greater will be the centrifugal force required to lift the arms 30 so that the brushes 33 will contact with the surface 25. It is obvious therefore that by my novel construction I have provided a governor that will permit table speeds over a comparatively wide range, yetmay be so adjusted that the desired extremely low tablet speed may be attained. Such a low speed is particularly desirable where it is desired to rotate display tablets or platforms or other supports at an extremely low rate of speed and through the use of a governor constructed in accordance with my invention this low rate of rotation may be easilv and accuratel attained. u N V J It will be noted also thatI have transmitted power from the spindle 14:, lirst through the worn'i wheel 15 and then to the worm 20. Similarly, I have further transmitted that power to the governor from the shaft 18 through the worm wheel 21 and then the worm on the spindle By this arrangement, which is contrary to the usual inanrier of transmitting power through a worm and then the worm wheel, I have provided a much more sensitive speed governing mechas nism.

Various changes in theconstruotion of my apparatus may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. i i

= 1. Tn a centrifugal governor, a. rotatable shaft, means to rotate the shaft, a collar secured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms consisting of a twisted depending main arm por tion, and a brush carrying portion projecting outwardly from the main arm portion.

In a centrifugal governor, a rotatable shaft, means to rotate. the shaft, a collar se cured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms consisting of a twisted main arm portion, a brush carrying portion extending substantially at right angles to said main arm portion, and brushes carried by said brush carrying portions.

3. In a centrifugal governor, a rotatable shaft, means to rotate the shaft, a collar adjustably secured to said'shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms consisting of a twisted depending main arm portion, a brush carrying portion extending outwardly from the main arm portion at a point near the fulcrum thereof and bent upon itself to form a brush holding clamp, and abrush carried by said clamp.

l. In a centrifugal governor, a rotatable shaft, means to rotate the shaft, a collar adjustably secured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms consisting of a twisted depending main arm portion, a brush carrying portion extending outwardly from the main arm portion at a point near the fulcrum thereof and bent upon itself to form a brush holding clamp, and a brush carried by said clamp, and means for limiting the upward movement of said arms.

5. In a centrifugal governor, a rotatable shaft, means to rotate the shaft, a collar adjustably secured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms consisting of a twisted depending main arm portion, a brush carrying portion extending outwardly from the main arm portion at a point near the fulcrum thereof and bent upon itself to form a brush holding clamp, and a brush carried by said clamp, and means for "limiting the upward movement of said arms, said means being adapted for engagement with said brushes to limit the speed of rotation of said governor shaft.

6. The combination with a motor device for use with revolving display supports, of a centrifugal governor, including a rotatable shaft, means to rotate the shaft, a collar adjustably secured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms consisting of a twisted depending main arm portion, a brush carrying portion extending outwardly from the main arm portion at a point near the fulcrum thereof and bent upon itself to form a brush holding clamp, and a brush carried by said clamp.

7. The combination with a motor device foruse with revolving display supports, of a centrifugal governor including a rotatable shaft, means to rotate the shaft, a collar adjustably secured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms consisting of a twisted depending main arm portion, a brush carrying portion extending outwardly from the main arm portion at a point near the fulcrum thereof and bent upon itself to form a brush holding clamp, and a brush carried by said clamp, and means for limiting the upward movement of said arms, said means being adapted for engagement with said brushes to limit the speed of rotation of said governor shaft.

8. In a centrifugal governor, a rotatable shaft, means for rotating the shaft, a collar secured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally suspended from said collar, said arms being freely movable radially of said collar and being suspended from a point adjacent their upper ends, each of said arms having twisted depending main arm portions.

9. The combination with a motor device for use with revolving display supports, of

a centrifugal governor, a rotatable shaft,

means for rotating the shaft, a collar adjustably secured to said shaft, and governor arms pivotally and freely suspended from said collar, each of said arms having a twisted main arm portion.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 15th day of October, 1925.

FRED N. MIZER. 

